“We found a way to get it done,” coach Jason Eck said on the Lobo Coaches Show. “It wasn’t always a work of art, but it’s good to be 7-1.”
It may just be a coincidence that the University of New Mexico football team is entering the Nevada portion of its schedule.
The Lobos have been playing “21” the last three weeks.
UNM continues toward its ambitious goal of reaching the College Football playoff when it travels to Reno, Nev., on Friday to take on the Nevada Wolfpack.
And for good measure, Vegas is coming to Albuquerque on Nov. 14 when New Mexico hosts UNLV.
The No. 22 Lobos (7-1, 4-0 Mountain West) are a 9.5-point favorite over Nevada (3-5, 2-2) and are 13-2 over their last 15 games. Only No. 1 Miami, No. 3 Utah and defending national champion and No. 6 Indiana have a better record in their last 15 games at 14-1.
And yet, UNM has exhibited a flair for the dramatic not seen during its earlier wins this season.
The Lobos have been stuck on 21 – great in Blackjack – but not so great on a different green playing surface. While still winning, New Mexico has created its share of anxious moments
The 21-10 victory at Hawaii in which the Lobos trailed 10-0 at halftime and were a few inches from trailing 17-7 in the fourth quarter when safety Drew Speech stripped Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado of the ball just short of the goal line that linebacker Mercury Swaim recovered.
UNM then turned in back-to-back 21-16 victories at home against North Dakota State and on the road at San Jose State – both featuring pick-sixes.
Safety Austin Brawley gave the Lobos some breathing room with his against NDSU that gave the Lobos a 21-9 lead before the Bison answered, forcing the defense to come up with a late stand.
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Last week, UNM was looking to add to its 21-9 lead when Spartans safety Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa intercepted a tipped pass from Lobo quarterback Toa Fa’avae and returned it 89 yards for a TD and a 21-16 score.
Brawley again came to the rescue with an interception in the end zone on SJSU’s final drive to seal the win for the Lobos.
“We found a way to get it done,” coach Jason Eck said on the Lobo Coaches Show. “It wasn’t always a work of art, but it’s good to be 7-1.”
Turnovers have been an issue for UNM, which at one point this season had forced 19 turnovers and only committed one.
Eck’s crew has given the ball away seven times during the current three-game span. The defense has six takeaways.
Fa’avae has thrown six interceptions and fumbled once. In fact, the sophomore QB has all nine Lobo TOs – eight picks and the one fumble.
His play has created external rumblings about turning to Luke Moga, who was splitting time with Fa’avae through the first 3½ games this season, including the first half vs. Oklahoma (a 14-6 loss).
As the No. 22 UNM Lobos prepare to take on Nevada in Reno, can their defense continue to bail out a sudden surge in turnovers? Here is a breakdown of UNM's recent nail-biting wins, quarterback Toa Fa’avae’s struggles, and whether doubling down on defense is sustainable for their Mountain West playoff push.